The new Cadillac F1 Formula One team exhibited on Monday in Times Square, in the heart of New York, the car with which the Mexican Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez will debut in the 2026 season to the subdued optimism of fans.
“I think ‘Checo’ will be fighting in the mid-range. He can get on the podium and get good results depending on the weather conditions of the races and if the team gives him good weapons,” said Israel, a compatriot of Perez who came to Times Square to see the new model.
Betting on experience with Checo and Bottas
Cadillac F1’s debut team will feature ‘Checo’ Perez and Finnish Valtteri Bottas, both 36 years old.
Bottas was runner-up in 2019 and 2020 with Mercedes and Perez took another second place in 2023 with Red Bull.
“We are looking forward to seeing him again after how he ended up with Red Bull, where he helped the team a lot and they didn’t recognize him.”
“We know the Ferrari engine is good, so hopefully they have done a good design throughout the development of the car,” Israel adds.
Other passers-by and tourists, despite the freezing temperatures in the Big Apple, did not want to miss the opportunity to see the single-seater up close.
“I feel it’s a team with a lot of budget, so it may have power in Formula One.”
“And, with the experienced drivers they have, it will have plenty of performance,” predicted Gonzalo, a young Argentinean who was taking a closer look at the Cadillac F1 with his family.
Fans praise Checo
Although his favorite is Franco Colapinto, Gonzalo believes that Checo Perez has “a much higher level” than Alpine’s Argentinean driver, who will be competing in his third Formula One World Championship.
“I find it mind-boggling that they would put a car of this caliber in the middle here.”
Silvia, a Spanish tourist who came to Times Square on purpose, had this to say.
He added that he is hopeful that Fernando Alonso will return to the top of the podium at a race in 2026:
“We’re going to try!” he exclaimed.
“America’s new team”.
I feel it's a team with a lot of budget
Gonzalo
Cadillac F1 placed the car last Friday in the center of Times Square in a large, fully covered glass installation.
He waited until Sunday at 22:30 local time, after the end of the Super Bowl, to unveil the design of the new single-seater.
A few minutes earlier, the team gave the world, and in particular the United States, a glimpse of itself with a television commercial in the last quarter of the Super Bowl.
“Choosing to unveil our first car in the heart of Times Square in New York is a way to present our performance and entertainment identity.”
“Connecting with fans far beyond the paddock,” Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss said in a statement.
General Motors endorses Cadillac F1 debut
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Cadillac F1, Cadillac’s self-proclaimed “America’s new team,” will have U.S. locations in:
Indianapolis (Indiana) and Charlotte (North Carolina), plus another base at Silverstone (United Kingdom).
Behind it is General Motors, the conglomerate that owns Cadillac as a luxury division.
Cadillac F1 joins this year as the eleventh Formula One team, bringing to 22 the number of drivers who will compete for the title in 2026.
It will make its debut at the Australian Grand Prix, the first of the year, on the weekend of March 6-8.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
